2026 KFNW Tour Event 1

April 25 | Potholes Reservoir, WA

Potholes Reservoir sits at 1,042 feet elevation in Grant County, about 17 miles south of Moses Lake in central Washington. At full pool it spans roughly 28,000 surface acres, though water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the season as the reservoir serves as a collection and redistribution point for the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, formed by O’Sullivan Dam. The northern and western portions of the reservoir are defined by flooded sand dunes — a landscape carved by catastrophic Glacial Lake Missoula floods thousands of years ago — which created roughly 1,000 micro-islands and a maze of shallow channels, submerged structure, and of course, potholes. The southern end near the dam features basalt outcroppings and riprap. The reservoir is fed by Crab Creek, Lind Coulee, and the Winchester and Frenchman Hills wasteways.

Potholes offers a wide variety of cover and structure, including willow-lined islands, cattail marshes, beaver huts, sand dune faces, rocky riprap, and flooded timber. The dunes vary in depth from just a few inches to around 30 feet. Fish species in the reservoir include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, lake whitefish, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, and common carp. Rainbow trout are stocked through a cooperative net pen program between WDFW and MarDon Resort. Largemouth bass over 9 lbs have been reported, and Bassmaster Magazine has ranked Potholes among the top bass fishing destinations in the western United States.

Boundaries for this event feature approximately 4,900 acres of water and over 30 miles of shoreline.

Last time we visited Potholes: October 10-11, 2025

3rd and Big Bass: Shaun Soule, 1st: Dan Walker, 2nd: Brandon Hua

This is our first Tour Event ever on Potholes but we did host the Native Watercraft No Limit Big Bass Power Hour here back in 2022. We also held last year’s KFNW Kayak Bass Classic at Potholes, when it was a VERY different body of water than it will be for Tour Event 1, but let’s take a look.

We had 21 anglers and 325 fish were submitted. Dan Walker (Seattle, WA) took first place with 177.75 inches of all largemouth, including a 20.25 inch kicker. 2025 AOY Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR) took second place with 172.75 inches of all largemouth and a 18.75 inch kicker. Shaun Soule (Yelm, WA) took third place with 172 inches of both species, ,including a 20.5 inch kicker that was Big Bass of the tournament.

Qualifier for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic

Top 10% of the field qualifies for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic on October 3-4, 2026 on Lake Bonneville (Columbia River).

Tournament Schedule

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM through Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Off-Limits is extended for this one event due to a large bass boat tournament on the lake April 17-18.

Registration Deadline

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Late registration is available on a limited basis, and is first-come, first-served. There is a $10 service fee for late registration.

Official Practice Period

Monday, April 20, 2026 through Friday, April 24, 2026
5:45 AM – Practice Launch / Lines In
1:45 PM – Practice Lines Out / Off the Water

Friday – April 24, 2026

6:30 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | Blue Heron Park
10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released

Saturday – April 25, 2026

4:45 AM to 5:15 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie
Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
5:10 AM – Launch | Human-Powered
5:15 AM – Launch | Electric Motors
5:45 AM – Lines In
5:51 AM – Sunrise
1:44:59 PM – Lines Out
2:45 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water
- Cell Service on Water: Spotty
- Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.
3:45 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | Blue Heron Park
Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

Washington Regulations and Links

A Washington fishing license is required (temporary or annual) – Visit WDFW
Motorized watercraft registered in another country, or state (except Oregon or Idaho) must purchase an aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention permit before placing or operating the watercraft in any water body in the state – Visit WDFW

Location Details

Pre-Event Briefing Location

Blue Heron Park
111 Westshore Dr NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Goole Maps Link >

Pre-Event Briefing Details

Before the Pre-Event Briefing, a video will be published to go over specific details for this Tour Event. Certain rules may be discussed, but we will not review all the rules. It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and know all rules as published in the Rules Standard.
Motor Inspection for Live Tournaments: Competitors using OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or commercially-manufactured motor mounts with common motors (such as those listed in Sections 5.D and 5.E) do not require inspection. Competitors using DIY (do-it-yourself) motor mounts or custom installations must have their motor system inspected and approved by Tournament Officials before competition begins.
Certified bump board is required and board check will be performed. Boards should be clean and dry.
Questions will be answered before the meeting is adjourned.
Attendance at the Pre-Event Briefing is mandatory. Absence due to work or unavoidable obligation requires TD approval in advance. If approved, another competitor must bring competitor’s bump board on their behalf to Pre-Event Briefing. The absent competitor must complete the online liability agreement before the Pre-Event Briefing. Upon arrival at the Awards, absent competitor must show valid photo ID and sign check-in sheet. Failure to complete these steps results in disqualification.

Eligible Water Boundaries

Main lake body of Potholes Reservoir
Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds
Portaging is not permitted
Only public waters are allowed

Designated Launch Locations

Google Maps Link >
Blythe Public Access (improved)
Crab Creek Public Access (unimproved)
Lind Coulee Public Fishing Access (improved)
Mardon Resort Boat Ramp (improved)
Potholes State Park Boat Ramp (improved)
~~Sampsons Pit Public Access~~ (improved) This launch is off-limits on tournament day, due to a boat tournament launching here. It may be used during the official practice period.
No other launches are allowed

Awards Location

Blue Heron Park
111 Westshore Dr NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Goole Maps Link >

Safety Notes

An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.

Rules Reminders

Measuring Boards – Ketch Karbonate or Aluminum (no folding Ketch boards), and YakAttack Leaderboard are allowed. No other boards will be accepted.
KFNW identifier card (link below) or Native identifier MUST be used. No alternate will be accepted. Blank identifier cards, and codes written on hands will NOT be accepted.
Identifier and code must be visible in photo.
The fish’s mouth must be closed. A deduction of .5″ will be taken for an open mouth.
The fish must be facing left. The left side of the fish must be facing up.
Minors 13-17 years must complete a waiver form signed by the minor participant and their parent or legal guardian. Adult or guardian is not required to compete but may accompany the minor in their own kayak, if they wish.
Minors under 13 years old may not participate.

Assistant Tournament Director

Matthew Burdick
Email: oregon@kayakfishingnorthwest.com
Phone: ‭‭(541) 609-0240‬

KFNW Director

Marvin Forte
Email: marvinforte@kayakfishingnorthwest.com
Phone: (602) 410-1002

Links

The Native Watercraft No Limit Big Bass Power Hour on Potholes Reservoir coincides with KFNW Tour Event 1. Anglers are welcome to fish either, or both events simultaneously.

Native Watercraft No Limit Big Bass Power Hour on Potholes Reservoir